QuestionHi,
today I was referred by my therapist to see a specialist that she knows and finds to be appropriate for my problem, but when I looked up the supposed doctor's name on the AMA website, I discovered that he is not an MD at all but a DO! I was all ready to call and make an appointment with this doctor but now I'm really creeped out! I have never been to see a DO before and for some reason I tend to equate them with so-called alternative medicine. The whole idea just gives me the willies - in other words, I would be OK seeing this person for a bad cold or something fairly simple -but my problem is hemmoroids - I'm scared to go to any doctor about my problem (I am a sex abuse survivor so that makes it even worse), much less something I don't trust. So my question is (I'm still debating on whether to go with the recommendation and see this practitioner) - do you think that DOs are as competant as an MD, in general? Also - this person is a gastroenterologist - I didn't think that DOs could operate unassisted, sort of like physician assistants. Also - why would someone aspire to become a DO when they could instead go for an MD? Is it easier to be a DO? I just worry about the quality of care that I would be getting. Any ideas you have about this would be much appreciated.
Answerdo you think that DOs are as competant as an MD, in general?
There used to be a big difference but not much any more since the education is much the same.
Also - this person is a gastroenterologist - I didn't think that DOs could operate unassisted, sort of like physician assistants.
They used to be but their education was expanded so this one could be OK>
Also - why would someone aspire to become a DO when they could instead go for an MD?
Sometimes it is easier to get into DO schools but sometime their family members are DOs so they choose to do the same.
Is it easier to be a DO?
Not any more.
OK?
